"Divers uncovered more than 1,000 late 17th- and early 18th-century Spanish coins worth $1m off the coast of Florida last summer. The area, roughly 100 miles north of Miami, is known as the Treasure Coast-named for the cargo aboard the Spanish flotilla that sank there in 1715. Its 11 ships were filled to the brim with an estimated $400m in gold, silver and jewels. Treasure hunters have been on the prowl for their sunken riches ever since."
"The Florida-based shipwreck-salvage company that discovered this latest trove of coins, 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels, has exclusive rights to the remains of the 1715 fleet. Over the summer, its divers discovered not only 1,051 silver and five gold coins but also artefacts like a lead royal seal. But Queens Jewels is a for-profit company, and its jurisdiction in waters that contain important historical artefacts raises the problem of conflicting visions in exploration between treasure hunters and underwater archaeologists."
"The 1715 fleet set sail from Havana after years of conflict during the War of the Spanish Succession, which had ended the previous year. The flotilla's cargo comprised silver and gold coins, thought to have been minted in the empire's American colonies, along with other commodities like tobacco, which was as valuable as the precious metals. One ship also carried the legendary "queen's jewels"-a gift for the new queen of Spain, Elisabeth Farnese-which have yet to be found."
More than 1,000 late 17th- and early 18th-century Spanish coins, including 1,051 silver and five gold coins, were recovered off Florida's Treasure Coast, valued around $1 million. The find also included artefacts such as a lead royal seal. The salvage was conducted by Florida-based 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels, which holds exclusive rights to the 1715 fleet wrecks. The 1715 Spanish flotilla left Havana carrying an estimated $400 million in gold, silver, jewels, and commodities like tobacco. A hurricane struck seven days after departure, wrecking 11 ships on reefs and killing at least 1,000 people. One ship avoided destruction by changing course.
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